Friday, January 29, 2010
Semester II Starts Tuesday, February 2nd
Just a reminder (I'm sure you all haven't forgotten) there are NO CLASSES on Monday. Classes resume on Tuesday, Feb. 2. Have a great weekend!!!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Connections between Marijuana and Schizophrenia
It is very tough to ignore the physiological and psychological effects of drug abuse. It is also difficult to ignore the way it can affect the family, friends, peers, or teachers of those who abuse.
For those of you that know me well enough, my interest in this piece will not suprise you. However, for those that do not know me, I do a lot of reading and research on the affects drugs have on people. I do everything that I can as a health education teacher to make the middle years students of Cupar School aware of the negative effects of drug abuse.
Why? I think it is just something that I feel very strongly about. Ever since I was 15 or 16 and saw other teens using drugs, I have always taken some kind of stance against them. Most people always felt I judged them for their choices, but I honestly tried not to. I respect people for the choices they make and even if I do not agree I realize it is their own personal decision.
http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/natureofthings/2010/downsideofhigh/
For those of you that know me well enough, my interest in this piece will not suprise you. However, for those that do not know me, I do a lot of reading and research on the affects drugs have on people. I do everything that I can as a health education teacher to make the middle years students of Cupar School aware of the negative effects of drug abuse.
Why? I think it is just something that I feel very strongly about. Ever since I was 15 or 16 and saw other teens using drugs, I have always taken some kind of stance against them. Most people always felt I judged them for their choices, but I honestly tried not to. I respect people for the choices they make and even if I do not agree I realize it is their own personal decision.
http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/natureofthings/2010/downsideofhigh/
Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon
The Prairie Women on Snowmobiles is a group who raises funds and awareness for breast cancer research. They will be passing through Cupar on this year’s 10th anniversary tour tomorrow (January 29). The town is hosting a luncheon for them and all proceeds will be going to breast cancer research. The luncheon will be held at the Cupar Town Hall. Cost is $5.00. Hope to see everyone out!
Goalball
This morning, in my Advisory 9 class, one of the students in the class was reading my spiel on Physical Literacy. In the resource provided by Canadian Sport for Life there is a page that talks about foundational movement. He came across a game called "Goalball". When he asked me what it was, I had no idea. We googled it.
What a great game!! It is a sport played in the Paralympic Games by athletes who are either blind or visually impaired. I have attached two links; the first is a detailed explanation of the game from the Canadian Blind Sports Association. The other is a video of a game from the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. Check it out:
This would be an excellent integration activity for students with visual impairments in a Physical Education class or Intramural Program. You could tape black electricians tape to badminton goggles, find a ball similar to the official "Goalball" and use pylons for goals. I am definitely going to try this soon!
Again, this game really reemphasizes the fact that ALL children need to be "Physically Literate". These athletes, despite their visual impairments, still have fundamental movement skills which have allowed them to excel in this particular sport.
Thoughts?? Suggestions?? Has anyone ever played this??
Have a great day!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Literacy - A Physical Education Teacher's Point of View
Literacy is such an imperative concept for young people. It is what we, as teachers thrive to strengthen and foster from when a child enters elementary school until they walk across the stage on their final graduation day. We hope that they use these literary skills in many different capacities for the rest of their lives.
As a physical education teacher, I still attempt to do my best using content area reading strategies as much as possible at the middle and senior levels. I realize this will benefit students in their core subject areas and I am all for it. However, my number one concern is keeping kids active! I was watching Global National News two nights ago and they had a segment regarding Canadian fitness levels. It talked about how our levels have consistently declined since 1981 and how youth are at so many health risks because of inactivity levels. This is not a real big secret considering the amount of publicity and media attention the topic has received, but what is being done about it?
Let's introduce the term Physical Literacy. What does that mean? What does "gym class" have to do with literacy?
The Canadian Sport for Life Foundation defines the term Physical Literacy "...is the development of fundamental movement skills and fundamental sport skills that permit a child to move confidently and with control, in a wide range of physical activity, rhythmic (dance) and sport situations".
Looking at this definition, it can lead us to the conclusion that children's fitness levels are just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to term "Physical Literacy". My personal belief is that constant participation in daily physical activity and fitness, especially at a young age, will create a foundation that allows for development of fundamental skill.
I guess this is my spiel on making students, teachers, and parents aware of Physical Literacy. When parents and teachers help students with their letter sounds or nightly reading routines, it is a step toward improving a child's ability to be literate. We don't just rely on class time for these skills to improve. It takes time and repetition. The same comparison can be made to dribbling a basketball. LeBron James definitely didn't rely on daily physical education classes to excel to an advanced level of understanding for the skill. Many hours of repetition and practice went into his development. The challenge is; what can students, parents, and teachers do in order to continue to take steps toward being "physically literate"? As effective decision makers, we need to remember that it is never to late to expand our knowledge!
In order to better your understanding for the concept of "Physical Literacy", I am providing you with a resource developed by Canadian Sport for Life. The following link is quite lengthy and will take some time to load, but it is a very interesting read:
http://www.canadiansportforlife.ca/upload/docs/LTAD%20Downloads%20Eng/Developing%20Physical%20Literacy.pdf
Remember; your comments are always appreciated!!!
As a physical education teacher, I still attempt to do my best using content area reading strategies as much as possible at the middle and senior levels. I realize this will benefit students in their core subject areas and I am all for it. However, my number one concern is keeping kids active! I was watching Global National News two nights ago and they had a segment regarding Canadian fitness levels. It talked about how our levels have consistently declined since 1981 and how youth are at so many health risks because of inactivity levels. This is not a real big secret considering the amount of publicity and media attention the topic has received, but what is being done about it?
Let's introduce the term Physical Literacy. What does that mean? What does "gym class" have to do with literacy?
The Canadian Sport for Life Foundation defines the term Physical Literacy "...is the development of fundamental movement skills and fundamental sport skills that permit a child to move confidently and with control, in a wide range of physical activity, rhythmic (dance) and sport situations".
Looking at this definition, it can lead us to the conclusion that children's fitness levels are just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to term "Physical Literacy". My personal belief is that constant participation in daily physical activity and fitness, especially at a young age, will create a foundation that allows for development of fundamental skill.
I guess this is my spiel on making students, teachers, and parents aware of Physical Literacy. When parents and teachers help students with their letter sounds or nightly reading routines, it is a step toward improving a child's ability to be literate. We don't just rely on class time for these skills to improve. It takes time and repetition. The same comparison can be made to dribbling a basketball. LeBron James definitely didn't rely on daily physical education classes to excel to an advanced level of understanding for the skill. Many hours of repetition and practice went into his development. The challenge is; what can students, parents, and teachers do in order to continue to take steps toward being "physically literate"? As effective decision makers, we need to remember that it is never to late to expand our knowledge!
In order to better your understanding for the concept of "Physical Literacy", I am providing you with a resource developed by Canadian Sport for Life. The following link is quite lengthy and will take some time to load, but it is a very interesting read:
http://www.canadiansportforlife.ca/upload/docs/LTAD%20Downloads%20Eng/Developing%20Physical%20Literacy.pdf
Remember; your comments are always appreciated!!!
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Have a great day!!
Have a great day!!
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